Despite 25 years of activity, Haitian group RAM has only released seven albums. It would be a mistake to think their lack of quantity results from a lack quality, as their latest album, “August 1791,” demonstrates.
The album celebrates the beginnings of the Haitian Revolution. The movement lasted 12 years and marked the world’s first successful slave rebellion, in which the Haitian people won independence from France. The album’s first track, “Badji Feray,” is an ode to the wisdom of Toussaint L’Ouverture, one of the leaders of the Haitian Revolution, exemplifies the tribute. The mid-tempo song features a fantastic solo, marked by an phenomenal use of repetition by lead guitarist Yonel Vendredi. The call and response between lead singer Lunise Morse and the rest of the band is masterful, adding another layer of energy to the piece.
The Port Au-Prince based group fronted by the band’s namesake, Robert Morse, has a unique musical sound that blends Vodou rhythms and rock and roll guitar. The West African roots of Haitian culture are exemplified by the band’s version of “Danmbala Elouwe,” a traditional ceremonial song from the kingdom of Dahomey, present-day Benin.
“Dawonam Dakò” is a standout track with frenetic energy, featuring layers of syncopated percussion propelled by overdriven guitar power chords, which calls back to Morse’s background in the 1970s New York post-punk and no-wave scene. RAM is a well-oiled machine; their weekly shows at Morse’s Hotel Oloffson in Downtown Port Au-Prince means the band has no shortage of performance experience, and it shows. “St Clair (Gad Sa Nou We)” features the band at its best, with a futuristic keyboard solo, and excellent guitar interplay. The high octane song, backing chorus and all, suddenly stops for the two Morses to say, “St. Clair,” before the band starts up again. Ballads like the clavinet tinged “Kongo Edem Priye” offer a great change of pace, considering the fast tempo of much of the material.
Overall, the jubilant, energetic music, with an eye to Haiti’s history, makes “August 1791” a must-hear album by a truly fantastic band.